ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst volleyball team hosts crosstown rival Gannon Friday night at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) match is set for a 7:05 p.m. start. Mayor Joe Sinnott will hit the honorary first serve prior to the contest.
 
The match will be broadcast live on the B2 Network at http://www.b2livetv.com/partner_members.asp?id=16 and live stats will be available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/hurst/wvball/.
 
The Lakers are coming off a loss at Edinboro October 11. The Fighting Scots swept Hurst 25-23, 25-22, and 25-14. Gannon swept Notre Dame College on October 12 in its last contest.
 
The two programs have split two meetings each of the past four seasons, with the Lady Knights having won the most recent clash. The Diocese Cup will be on the line, with the winner taking the prize until the teams meet at the Hammermill Center on November 5 to end the regular season.
 
Mercyhurst is 12-11 overall and 5-7 in the conference, while Gannon is 15-6 overall and leads the league with a 10-1 mark.
 
The Lakers lead the league in service aces and Becky Smith is PSAC's top attacker, hitting at a .337 rate this season. The Knights lead the PSAC in hitting percentage, assists, and kills. Claren Harris leads the conference in blocks, while teammate Kara Cullen ranks third.